Integument treating apparatus



'-c. NESSLER INTEG MENT TREATING APPARATUS Filed 001. 11, 1940 2 Sheets- Shee t 1 INVENTOR CHARLES M55151? BY M MQRNEY Oct. '12, 1943. c. NES SLER 2,331,521?

INTEGUMENT TREATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 11, 1940 2 sheetssheet 2 INYENTOR CHARLES /V5.SLR BY iTTO RN EY Patented Oct. 12, 1943 INTEGUMENT TREATING APPARATUS Charles Nessler, Palisades, N. Y. Application October 11, 1940, Serial No. 360,742

7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for removing waste material from the surface of integuments, and is adapted for the treatment not only of the hands, face, arms, legs and other parts of the human body but also for thetreatment of the hair and scalp, and of the fur of domestic animals.

In my application Ser. No. 120,860, filed January 16, 1937, now Patent No. 2,224,880, there is described an apparatus and method for activating, cleaning and stimulating the outer layers of skin and the underlying tissue by subjecting the skin surface to the rapid action of tapping and. scratching elements and simultaneously directing a cooling current of air over the surface of the skin being treated.

The apparatus described in this application is designed to accomplish this object as well as other objects, including the removal of surplus hair, in a particularly efiicient and practical manner.

'It is well recognized that the normal function of the human skin is to give off various waste materials through the pores, and that unless this waste material, dead'skin, dirt accumulations, etc., is properly removed from the outer surface of the skin, this natural function is impaired. In addition to the use of soap and water, toweling and various cleansing creams, numerous stimulating massage treatments have been proposed 7 but these all fall short of accomplishing a thorough removal of waste material. Rubbing with a towel or massaging is accompanied by frictional generation of heat which attracts the blood to the skin surface and, therefore, the length of time of the rubbing or massage is very limited because the skin surface soon becomes very sensitive. I

It is an object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for applying to the skin surface a combination of a frictional action by means of elements that produce a rapid tapping {and scratching on the surface, and a cooling effect on the surface of the skin to avoid the attraction of blood to the skin surface.

One embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line ll of Fig. 2.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a set of bristles that may be used in the apparatus.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of different types of pads that may be employed, and

Figure 7 is a sectional View of a, portion of the machine shown in the lower portion of Fig. 1

but illustrating a modified construction thereof.

The apparatus illustrated comprises a fixed solid disc-shaped member In having a central opening I I in which a bearing and shaft housing member I2 is fixed by means of a number of rivets or bolts I3. Within the bearing housing I2, a ball bearing race 14 is held in place, as by means of a press lit, to support within it a rotatable shaftl5. Nut l5a on the'end of shaft l5'holds the shaft against axial movement relative to the bearing race [4. Fixed on a central portion of the shaft I5 is a rotor 16 made up of a huh I! and spokes l8 that connect the hub to asolid cylindrical section l9.'

Rotor I6 is preferably constructed with a number of slots 20 formed in the cylindrical portion I9 and having enlarged inner portions 25 to receive the bases of various types of pads or-other friction elements that may be used in the apparatus. One or more elongated slots'22 may also be provided to receive the bristle pad elements 23 or the like.

Surrounding the other end of shaft l5 isanother bearing housing member 24 fixed to a second ball bearing race 25, as by means of a press fit. Nut 25a on the end of shaft I5 may be used to prevent axial movement between the shaft and the bearing race 25. A second disc-shaped member 26 of a shape and size complemental to the disc member l0 may be attached by means of the rivets 2! to the flange of an elongated hollow handle 28. This assembly is designedto slip over the end of the bearing housing 24 and may be removably secured in place by means of the set screw 29 engaging the groove 313 in the bearing housing 24. The ball bearing races l4 and 25 and the shaft 15 are preferably constructed and arranged to permit free rotation of shaft I5 while preventing relative axial movement between the shaft l5 and the raceslfl, 25 and housings I2, 24.

To hold the two disc members I0 and 26 against rotation relative to each other, although this is not essential, I may provide a strap 3| of spring steel or the like secured at one end to the disc Ill by means of the rivet 32, and the other end of which snaps into a slot or groove 33 in the inner surface near the outer edge of the disc member- 26 when this slot is rotated into the proper position. The disc members 10 and 26 may be provided with inwardly extending flanges 34 and 35*spaced just a slightdistance from the outer surface of the edges of the rotor Iii. The

outer edges of the disc members l and 26 pref erably extend a substantial distance radially beyond the outer surface of rotor l6 and may be provided with two tubular rubber guards 36 and 31 seated in the grooves 38, 39 and extending around the outer edges of the discs I0 and 26.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure '7, the outer edges of the disc members l0 and 26 may be formed with integral solid beads 40, 4| thereon instead of the rubber guards 36 and 31.

The nut a preferably has at one end a slot 42 to receive the flat end of a flexible shaft 43 carried in the cable 44. This flexible shaft may be driven from any suitable source of power (not shown) such as an electric motor.

The discs l0 and 2B, rotor l6 and .thehandleZS may conveniently be made of any suitable plastic such as molded Bakelite, while the bearing housings, shaft I5, ball bearing races and similar parts are preferably constructed of metal;

in the operation ofthis 'device, various types ot friction elements may [be employed. For example, for treating a-,persons arms, legs, hands, neck and face :a double loop .pad (illustrated in Fig. 2,) :made up of a number of layers of soft cloth such as cheesecloth or other suitable :material may be employed. This pad 45 ispreferably composed of a plurality of strips -of :such cloth of approximatelyithe widthv of the rotor I 6.

Que end 0ftl'i6se strips is secured around a core 46, the oen-tral portion 'of these strips is looped about-another core member 41, while the other end of -the strips is wrapped :aroundthe core member 48. These three core members are slipped into the three slots 26., 21, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the disc 26 andhandle '28,, which had been previously removed for this purpose, are then slidover :the (end-of the bearing housing-44 andseoured in place by tightening the set screw 129.

The rotor 1-6 is :now started, being driven by the flexible shaft fromanysuitable source of power, and'caused to rotate at afair-ly-high rate of speed. For example, a suitable speed for the rotor when the idiSC members J1) and 2-6-are approximately 5" in diameter would be 1,200 R. P. M. Obviously, with ra larger diameter of apparatus, the :R. -P. M. .of the rotor I6 may be reduced while with a smaller diameter apparatus, the speed may be increased. speed given above is simply illustrative and is not critical, provided a suflicient speed is obtained .to create a cooling current of air, as will be-described.

The :loops of cloth "or other material ofthe friction element 45 between the cores 46 4-1. and 41, :48 extend outwardly zfrom the rotor surface due to centrifugal force, and the outer edges of these loops preferablyextendsashort distance radially' beyond -the outer edges of'the rubber guards .36, 31, or ofthe beads =40,;M,'as the case may be.

The apparatus is now held against the skin surface to be treated and the edges of the loops of cloth :successively come into frictional contact with the skin, exerting a mapping and frictional or :scratching action thereon in .rapid succession. Simultaneously, a coolingrcurrent of air eis'caused -to flow *over the 'sunfacerof the skin being treated 'due to the rapid rotation of the semi-solid 91ements 10f \the -pad 45. This cooling action drives blood away from the skin surface being treated andpermits a long and vigorous treatment, .removing waste-material from the skin surface without the development of frictional heat or Furthermore, the

Other suitable friction elements may be employed. For example, in the treatment of the hair and scalp, it is desirable to provide one or more friction elements that are more substantial and have a harsher effect than a simple pad of cloth or paper. For this purpose, the bristle element 23, consisting of a plurality of flexible bristles 43 set in a soft rubber or other suitable base member 50, may be used either alone or with one .or more of the pads shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This pad may be placed in the slot .22 after removal of the disc 26 and handle 28 as described above. After replacement of the disc 26 and handle 28, the rotor l6 may be started and the apparatus held against the scalp to be treated. When used with one or more pads, the action of th bristles augments the frictional and cooling action .of the relative solid pad element and produces .a ,more vigorous action on the hair and scalp.

Other suitable pads made of paper or similar materials may be used in place of the pad .45. For example, the pad illustrated in Fig. '4 consists of a number of sheets of soft paper 5i :bound to- .gether at one :edge to form a rib .52 for insertion in one of the :slots 24. Free edges .of this paper pad may be serrated as at 53. As this pad vbe- .comes soiled or worn, one 'or more of the sheets of paper can be readily torn off, exposing ;a fresh frictional surface. A similar pad is illustrated in Fig. 5, in which a number of sheets of paper are bound'together at oneedge .to .form a rib 55. The'outer edges of these sheets of paper are left plain, but may be slit, as shown at 56, to produce a more flexible action on theskin surface being treated.

Still-another form of pad that maybe used to good advantage for the removal of superfluous hair is the pad illustrated inFig. 6, which assimilar to the pad shown in Fig. 4 except :that the outer sheet is a sheet of emery paper 5101 similar abrasive material, and this abrasive paper together with theaother sheets of softer paper are slit for a substantial distance, as shown at .58.

. It has ,been found that fine gradespf emery paper and .thelike may be employed .in this pad accordance with m iinvention to remove quickly and painlessly superfluous hair from the arms and legs. Due to the concentrated cooling .action of the pads on the surface of the skin being treated, this strong abrasive action on (the skin does not produce an undue discomfort.

The friction elements employed according to my invention strike within a ,given .area of skin being treated so rapidlyvas -to:give the impression :01 a continuously moving contact over :a small area. This'contact isua combination of tapping or light beating against the skin and a scratching action as the elements are drawn across the surface of the skin. Such a frictional contact generates heat-but the heat is rapidly dissipated hy thecoolingpurrem of air created by the pads or other .means andcaused to flow over the skin surface during the tapping and scratching. The

net result, therefore, .is .the removal of waste material from the skin surface, which the air currenthelps to carry. away, and a sensation .of

coolness of the skin surface -;during the treatment.

A slight sense :of Warmth may be experienced after the treatmentnue to :a .reaction from the stimulation of the skin surface and cooling eiiect of the apparatus, but. the treatment may be continued on a givensurface .of skin .for many minutes without .causingany discomfort or .pain during orafterthetreatment. Treatments, evenof the normally sensitive areas of a persons skin, may thus be given which in a relatively few minutes produce the equivalent in stimulation and cleansing of an hour of vigorous rubbing with a towel. Repeated daily treatment of the backs of the hands and of the face have produced a surprising rejuvenation of the skin, by tightening the skin and thus reducing wrinkles.

Various modifications of the apparatus illustrated in the drawings are possible without departing from the principles of my invention. The proportions, sizes and shapes of the various parts may be varied. Handle 28 may be eliminated,

if desired, provided some other convenient means is used for holding the apparatus. Also, the connecting strap 3| is not essential although it holds the discs l and 26 against relative rotation, offers a means for hanging the apparatus from a stand or other support, and provides a holder for a recorder card to catch for examination waste material removed from the skin or scalp, as described in my application Ser. No. 120,860. Also, the discs Ill and 26, and the rotor it do not have to be solid and imperforate. The imperforate side walls of discs l0 and 28 extending beyond the outer surface of rotor l6 are preferred, however, because they are believed to cooperate with the rotor and pads to produce a more efiicient cooling effect on the integument.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for removing waste material from the surface of the skin comprising a rotor, a friction element mounted on the rotor for producing a scratching and tapping action and a cooling current of air on the skin, a pair of guard members on each side of said rotor having substantially imperforate portions extending radially beyond the surface of the rotor but not beyond the end of said friction element for confining said cooling current of air, means for rotating said rotor, and means for holding said guard members to prevent rotation thereof relative to each other.

2. Apparatus for removing waste material from 'the surface of the skin comprising a rotor, a friction element of sheet material having an abrasive rsurface mounted on said rotor for movement in a direction substantially normal to its plane to create a cooling current of air on the skin, guard members on each side of said rotor having substantially imperforate portions extending radially beyond said rotor but not beyondthe outer edge of said friction element for confining said cooling current of air, and means for rotating said rotor.

3. Apparatus for removing waste material from the surface of an integument comprising a shaft, a rotor carrying a friction element fixed to said shaft, bearing members on said shaft on each side of said rotor, a guard member for said rotor fixed to one of said bearing members, a guard member removably attached to the other of said bearing members, means extending between said guard members to prevent relative rotation thereof, and means for rotating said shaft.

4. Apparatus for removing waste material from the surface of an integument comprising a shaft, a rotor carrying a friction element fixed to said shaft, bearing members on said shaft on each side of said rotor, a guard member fixed to one of said bearing members, a second guard member removably attached to the other of said bearing members, and means for rotating said shaft.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which the guard members are disc-shaped and have substantially imperforate portions extending radially beyond the rotor but not beyond the outer edge of the friction element thereon.

6. Apparatus for removing waste material from the surface of an integument comprising a shaft,

a rotor carrying a friction element fixed to said shaft, bearing members on said shaft on each side of said rotor, a guard member fixed to one of said bearing members, a second guard member removably attached to the other of said hearing members, means attached to the first of said guard members for engaging said second guard member to prevent rotation thereof when attached to the other of said bearing members, and means for rotating said shaft.

7. Apparatusfor removing waste material from the surface of the skin comprising a rotor mounted upon a shaft, a friction element carried by said rotor, disc-shaped guard members supported by said shaft on each side of the rotor and extending radially beyond the outer surface of the rotor, flanges extending from the sides of said guard members to cover the edges of said rotor, and means for rotating said shaft and rotor independently of said guard members.

CHARLES NESSLER. 

